THE family of a great-grandfather killed in a motorcycle hit-and-run crash today appealed for the rider to "search his conscience" and give himself up.

War veteran Donald Satterthwaite, 88, was hit by a green Kawasaki motorbike in Bootle on Tuesday which accelerated away, leaving him lying in the road.

A van following the bike drove around Mr Satterthwaite as he lay seriously injured before continuing its journey.

The widower, from Timon Road, was crossing Aintree Road, near the junction with Fernhill Road, just after 9am, to buy his daily paper.

Mr Satterthwaite was found by a passer-by lying on the central reservation and was rushed to Fazakerly hospital with a suspected broken hip. He died a few hours later.

Today his daughter Mary Hall, 52, of Netherton, appealed to the motorcyclist to come forward and help the family "fill in the gaps" of what happened.

She said: "Don was a very independent man, a loving and caring family man. He was a well-respected gentleman of the community and we can't believe he has been taken away from us like this. He remained active and was not ready to leave us.

"I would ask anyone who saw what happened that morning to come forward and help the police with their inquiries. I would especially ask the motorcyclist himself to search his conscience and call the police.

"Don was a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather who is missed by everyone who knew him. Come forward now."

Son-in-law Jim added: "He did not deserve what happened. It was only an accident but it makes it extremely hard for our family to deal with this at the minute.

"He was reasonably fit for his age and he still held his own. If he had been taken from us through ill health it would be acceptable."

Mr Satterthwaite was born in Newton Heath, Manchester, and was one of seven children.

He worked at the Co-op in Manchester before joining the Lancashire Fusiliers, with whom he served in World War II.

It was during his army service that he went to Burma, where he met and befriended Len Rees, from Bootle.

When Mr Rees was temporarily blinded, Mr Satterthwaite wrote his letters home for him.

On one occasion on leave, Mr Satterthwaite went to Bootle with Mr Rees and met his sister, Ada. This was to be the start of a long and happy union, as Ada later became his wife.

Mr Satterthwaite was widowed 40 years ago and brought up their children, Don, now 51 and Mary, on his own. He had two grandsons, Jamie, 33, and David, 30, and two great grandchildren, Hollie, five, and William, four months.

Mr Satterthwaite worked at Ford's from 1964 until he retired at 65.

Can you help?

POLICE say the motorcyclist was a white man in his late 20s or early 30s. He wore a black helmet, black jacket and jeans.

They also want to speak to the driver of the white Ford Connect van which was travelling close behind and didn't stop.

CAll 0151-777 5730 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with any information.